Soldier missing since Oct. 10 found dead at Fort Hood

Troops conducting land-navigation training on Fort Hood have found the body of a missing Army private, who evidently died more than 3 weeks ago in a one-vehicle crash on post.

Pvt. Dakota Stump, 19, of Indianapolis, Ind., had been missing since around 9:45 p.m. Oct. 10 when he left his barracks room.

Troops found Stump and his black Ford Mustang at around 11:50 a.m. Thursday near Turkey Run Road during a training exercise, a source with knowledge of the situation said Friday.

Fort Hood confirmed the discovery in a press release Friday afternoon.

“The remains of Pvt. Dakota Lee Stump, 19, were discovered next to a flipped-over vehicle, which was registered to Stump, in a wooded area approximately 100 yards from the roadway near Building 43028 on Fort Hood,” the post said.

“Based on the extensive damage to the car and surrounding trees and foliage, early indications are the vehicle left the roadway, entered the wooded area and rolled over multiple times, according to law enforcement officials. Due to the terrain and heavy vegetation, the vehicle was not visible from the road,” Fort Hood said.

The crash is under investigation.

Fort Hood had contacted law enforcement agencies and hospitals throughout much of the region after the soldier disappeared.

Stump, who was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division’s Apache Troop, 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, left his possessions and cash in the room.